Meet the Volunteers

Meet the volunteers

Meet the faces behind our journey to cultivate sustainable and regenerative ecosystems. Discover their unique backgrounds, passions, and contributions to our mission of a sustainable future.

Permanent members – The Pigadians

IMG

Meet Jules

Jules is the founder and dreamer of Dio Pigadia. Coming from a background in academia, studying sociology and political philosophy, he came from the library not the land. Sitting at a desk with a computer he felt the need for the outdoors and left the office for the sea, teaching sailing lessons and repairing boats in France. Working in shipyards he learnt essential manual skills that would prove valuable in his future at the farm. He eventually set sail solo across the world exploring different places and new cultures. Feeling a responsibility and duty to the earth and guided by a desire to grow his roots, he dreamt up Dio Pigadia. The project focuses on an alternate way of living, and co-creating a better future together. The volunteers started to come by themselves, guided by a similar philosophy in the face of the ecological crisis. Dio Pigadia is a community based ever-growing project. Education, ecology and living together are the key pillars we experience and share. If you can’t find Jules, he’ll be rummaging in the tip for up-cycled materials or conversing with the donkey — Vouno.

Stay: October 2018 — Present

Favourite activity on the farm: Dreaming about the future of the farm

Why did you come here? A mix of destiny, luck and love.

Favourite quote: “All money arises from the wealth of the natural world (plant, clean water, clean air, stored energy). The accumulation of unused wealth, or wealth that does to lead to the proliferation of life, is a pollution of the same nature as ay insured reproduce. Manure and money have much in common.” – Bill Mollison


Meet Clem

Clem’s passion in gardening and working outside brought her to become a seasonal worker in agriculture. But her desire for human connection helped her pivot to a more cultural sector, bringing together community and environmental awareness to drive change in the global ecological crisis. Her priority is taking action for the environment. She was drawn to Greece where ecological movement was young and immediately felt called to get involved, challenging herself to lead through example. She found her home at Dio Pigadia, helping establish NGO dedicated to protect the biodiversity of the area. Her focus around soil regeneration and permaculture has allowed her to find her life’s purpose, protecting and sharing her knowledge of the environment. The work and community at Dio Pigadia fills her with hope for our collective future. If you want to find Clem, she’ll be in the garden, blasting her music or solving crosswords on the couch.

Stay: October 2022 — Present

Favourite activity on the farm: Protecting biodiversity

Why did you come here? Upset by the local ecological crisis, I decided to delve deeper by taking action

Favourite quote: “I intend to forever keep this capacity to marvel and to revel, the two breasts of humanism”


IMG

Meet James

James decided to make a pivot in his life, coming from France to Greece in search of community and a change of routine. From his multiple visits to Greece, he fell in love with the landscapes, language, people and most importantly- the food. Known as the “handy-man” he spends most of his time in the workshop working with his hands to create both functional and artistic objects. James consumes approximately 1.3 litres of coffee a day, and finds enjoyment in the simple pleasure of pairing a cup of coffee with a cigarette. Or 10.

Stay: October 2023 — Present

Favourite activity on the farm: Sharing group projects and creating things together

Why did you come here? Because I was interesting in how the community here functions. There was an appealing feel to it, its nice to be a part of something that is growing.

Favourite quote: “Wise words and gentle hands create nicest worlds”


photo

Meet Vaso

Coming from the urban jungle of Kallithea, Greece, Vaso wanted change her lifestyle to be closer to nature and be apart of communal living. She strongly believes that the fast-paced modern living is not conducive to environmental or physical health. A desire to depart from that lifestyle brought her to Dio Pigadia. With her Master degree in Global Environmental change, Vaso wants to live harmoniously with nature and takes every step towards sustainable living. She loves any kind of movement and practices pole dancing whenever she gets the chance. Her love of animals draws her to the horse and donkey pen, taking them out for a walk every day. If you can’t find Vaso she’ll be chasing after her cheeky dog — Darma.

Stay: November 2023 — Present

Favourite activity on the farm: Taking the horse and donkey on a walk and gardening

Why did you come here? It’s always been my dream to be close to nature and connected to the land living a communal lifestyle.

Favourite quote: “Be the good you want to see in the world”


Volunteers

Sasha

Meet Sasha

With a background in ecology, Sasha came from Chicago, United States with the aim to learn how biology, community and food come together through permaculture. She puts importance on knowing where food comes from, and sharing the knowledge with multiple communities that can make everlasting change in the world.

By bringing science to the farming community, we can look at how biology impacts the future of humanity. You can find Sasha in the kitchen making some banging pita bread, or running around organising jars.

Stay: September 2023 — November 2023

Favourite activity on the farm: Harvesting in the gardens

Why did you come here? To explore how we can create balance between humans and nature

Favourite quote: “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothings gonna get better. It’s not.” — Dr Seuss


Katherine

Meet Katherine

With a background in psychology, Katherine aims to learn from the land and bring the two disciplines together. Coming from Massachusetts, United States, she came to Dio Pigadia to connect with nature. On the farm, she can be found cuddling her favourite cat Temu, and growing plants in the green house.

Stay: September 2023 — November 2023

Favourite activity on the farm: Planting seeds

Why did you come here? To be more in-touch with the land

Favourite quote: “The world has enough for everyone’s needs, but not everyone’s greed” – Gandhi


Michail

Meet Michail

Michail came from Northern Greece to Dio Pigadia to connect with nature and create a more peaceful and simple life. He aims to cultivate social change and spread awareness around a lifestyle more connected to the eco-system that we’re all apart of. If you ever need to find a crystal to match your energy — find Michail.

Stay: September 2023 — November 2023

Favourite activity on the farm: Gardening

Why did you come here? Because 🙂

Favourite quote: “Moving fast is moving slow. Moving slow is moving fast”


IMG FD

Meet Clément

Clément came from Southern Paris searching for his first WWOOFing experience. For his first extended travel trip, he chose to come to Greece to discover the culture and history. And partly because you can still swim in November 😉 He discovered his love for olive picking at Dio Pigadia, thriving on the communal spirit and team effort. As one of the longest standing olive harvesting volunteers, he enjoys helping the community and working with the neighbours in nearby olive plots. Every day looks different on the farm for Clément, and he loves working with his hands or winding down with some sudoku.

Stay: September 2023 — November 2023

Favourite activity on the farm: Olive picking

Why did you come here? To experience WWOOFing, meeting great people and to make great memories

Favourite quote: “All we have to decide, is what to do with the time that is given to us” — Gandalf


Manon

Meet Manon

Manon decided to depart from her life as a French and English teacher in Northern Paris, and come Greece to explore the history, food and people. Her love of teaching transformed into a love of using her hands and working manually with the soil. She thrives in a tight knit community, spending quality time and exchanging knowledge, skills and culture. Her love of animals is strong and she can always be found with a cat on her lap. If she’s not cuddling the cat Causette, she’s meowing back in conversation with her.

Stay: September 2023 — November 2023

Favourite activity on the farm: Spending time in the garden (even weeding is satisfying)

Why did you come here? To find community in Greece while working with animals and gardening.

Favourite quote: “Vouloir bien est mon culte”


IMG

Meet Camille

After graduating from Engineering and Environmental Sciences in France, Camille decided to celebrate by going to Greece and putting her knowledge to work on a farm. As an experienced WWOOFer, Dio Pigadia is her longest stay yet. Looking to find her life’s purpose she was drawn to a community focused on sustainable living in harmony with the environment. She uses her time at Dio Pigadia to learn, reflect and share her skills with others. She believes in slow travel and loves dedicating her weekends to exploring the area and learning more about Greece. If you go anywhere with Camille prepare to walk fast and see if you can catch up!

Stay: October 2023 — December 2023

Favourite activity on the farm: Working on the garden and processing the vegetables

Why did you come here? To discover Greece, community life and to apply new skills and new knowledge about gardening and how to be more autonomous.

Favourite quote: “I intend to forever keep this capacity to marvel and to revel, the two breasts of humanism”



Get to know the amazing individuals and their stories who volunteered throughout Greece.

Read the Story of Didi and Nini being at Yamochori.

Read the Story of James and his stay at the Greek Orthodox Monastery.

Read the Story of Camille being at Kathy´s Island Retreat.

Read the Story of Manos staying at a permaculture farm in Vrisi.

Read the Story of Sarah and Anders being at Candili Natural organic farm.

Read the Story of Clementine being at a COB Eco village.

What others think about us

  • Avatar Soizic Brun ★★★★★ 3 weeks ago
    Amazing place where you can explore sustainable practices including composting, mulching, wood work, lacto-fermentation, low-technologies... in an interacting … More community. Jules is very willing to share his knowledge with you and explore shared governance. Don't miss this opportunity to live an off-grid experience.
  • Avatar We learn as we wander ★★★★★ 9 months ago
    My daughter and I only wanted to visit Dio Pigadia for one afternoon but we ended up staying three weeks. It was a truly great experience for us and we … More both enjoyed taking care of the animals, gardens and veggies on the farm and fell in love with this little paradise. We ate daily together with the other volunteers amazing fresh meals with very tasty vegetables from the garden, helped out at a beach clean up event and even went sailing together.
    Saying goodbye was a hard one here but we both know for sure we want to come back, so it's only bye for now and thank you for everything Jules.
    Lia, Jenny and Tito
  • Avatar Marjal Sykora ★★★★★ 8 months ago
    Dio Pigadia is a very beautiful place between olive trees. The month we was there was the best time of our trip through Greece and south europe. Jules … More is very friendly and he work at this project with all his possibilities and love. Also it was nice to known all the nice people and this way of life. I can tell recommend to go to this place and this people and see how life can work in a good way.
    Thanks for this experience Jules
    P. S. you should try the comfortable compost toilet ;) it's perfect.
    .
  • Avatar gil jarus ★★★★★ 8 months ago
    Such a lovely place! We stayed for three nights and felt home, the atmosphere is peaceful and welcoming, we were invited to help ourselves with everything … More the farm yields - vegetables, greens and eggs. the volunteers were friendly, and Jules hosted us so nicely, he showed us around the farm and kindly explained about the ways he operate the farm and the permaculture approach, he gave us so much knowledge with such a big smile, it was a pleasure!
  • Avatar Louise Olgiati ★★★★★ 4 months ago
    Had an amazing time at Dio Pigadia volunteering for 6 weeks. It was great to learn about gardening and permaculture, and to be part of such a welcoming … More community !
  • Avatar Lucas Bonnier-Kulik ★★★★★ 7 months ago
    I spent approximately 2 months alongside Jules and many other volunteers and it was for me one of my deepest experience I've never had. You live, … More learn, practice as if it was your family, your shared project that you support, a return to a sober living.
    Thank you for all, I'll never forget. Kiss
    Lucas
  • Avatar Séréna Duthilleux Giamoukis ★★★★★ 5 months ago
    A magical place with amazing people, Dio Pigadia feels like a second home, and I can’t wait to be back!
  • Avatar Jonas P. ★★★★★ 9 months ago
    A little paradise and a source of creativity. This place has a beautiful spirit as well as awesome human beings and animals. You have to visit it!
  • Avatar R Bungener ★★★★★ 11 months ago
    What an incredible place where nature and humans work in collaboration to enable sustainable living and agriculture.
    Not only is Dio Pigadia in gorgeous
    … More setting, in the hills between Pylos and Methani, the people there are also really nice. A must visit whether you're a volunteer or visiting the area (they do hope evenings on Fridays!).
    They also have rental cottages (Nectar Pylos) which are a gem to stay in if you're visiting.
  • Avatar Antonia Rappert ★★★★★ 8 months ago
    Truly a special place. There's a lot to learn from this place, a bunch of warm people and many great ideas of how to live together in a sustainable … More (ecological & social) way. I really liked volunteering during the olive harvest, I still often think about the feeling of waking up and feeding the animals first thing in the morning before having breakfast and starting the day together with everyone. Greetings from Bonn :)